UPSC Prelims 2021 · CSAT (Paper 2) · Q33

Comprehension

Medium · Validity of assumptions

Read the following passage and answer the item that follows. Your answer to this item should be based on the passage only.

Freedom of expression is often treated as a personal liberty, but it is also a precondition for collective self-governance: citizens cannot meaningfully participate in deciding their shared future if they cannot voice disagreement, question authority, or share unpopular information without fear. Restricting expression, even when framed as maintaining order, therefore narrows not just individual liberty but the range of options a society can even consider for itself.

With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made:

1. Meaningful collective self-governance requires citizens to be able to voice disagreement without fear.

2. Restrictions on expression can never be justified under any circumstance.

3. Free expression expands the range of options a society can consider.

Which of the above assumptions are valid?